For Vikings, Sunday could be Goodbye Game on many fronts

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier, right, and running back Adrian Peterson watch as the Bears make their final scoring drive during the fourth quarter in Chicago on Sunday, November 15, 2013. (Pioneer Press: Sherri LaRose-Chiglo)

Adrian Peterson made an incredible comeback from knee surgery with Leslie Frazier as his coach. He had a 2,000-yard rushing season with Frazier as his coach.

Now, it's possible Peterson and Frazier could be on the sideline together Sunday for the last time.

Frazier's job is in jeopardy, and the Metrodome finale against the Detroit Lions could be his finale as Vikings coach, as well. But his star running back is doing what he can to prevent that from being the case.

Peterson said after Sunday's 42-14 loss at Cincinnati that he would talk to ownership about wanting Frazier to stay. Frazier was asked Monday about what Peterson said, and avoided referring to his job situation.

"He's a special player, special guy," Frazier said. "We always just want to do the right thing by him when it comes to playing the game of football. He means so much to our franchise and our organization, so you've just got to be wise when we're talking about how to use him."

After serving as Minnesota's defensive coordinator, Frazier became Peterson's head coach midway through the 2010 season. His tenure has included Peterson overcoming a torn ACL and MCL in a game on Dec. 24, 2011 ... and returning in 2012 to rush for 2,097 yards, the second most in NFL history.

Peterson could be on the sideline Sunday in street clothes. He's banged up due to recent groin and foot injuries, and Frazier offered no guarantee he will play against the Lions.

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"We'll see where he is this week when we get back on the field (for a Tuesday practice) and make a determination if he's farther along than he was (Sunday) and just try to do the right thing," Frazier said.

Peterson was pulled in the second half of the lopsided loss at Cincinnati, getting just one carry following intermission to finish with 45 yards on 11 attempts.

Sunday's game is meaningless for both the Vikings (4-10-1) and Lions (7-8), who have been eliminated from the playoffs. And winning a third rushing title would seem to be reach for Peterson, who trails Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy 1,476 yards to 1,266.

Frazier, who has a 20-32-1 record as Minnesota's coach, sidestepped several questions Monday about this job status. He did say that neither he nor his agent has spoken to Vikings general manager Rick Spielman or owners Zygi and Mark Wilf about his future.

"I think for our players, it's important that they focus on the task," Frazier said. "That's what I'm asking them to do, and I need to do the same thing. ... It's important I handle it the right way."

Frazier is most concerned now with finding enough able bodies for his banged-up team. He said linebacker Audie Cole will sit out against Detroit after suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday. He's not sure if cornerback Xavier Rhodes will be able to return from a sprained ankle after missing the past two games.

If Peterson doesn't play, the Vikings might be very thin at running back. Toby Gerhart reinjured his hamstring against the Bengals, and Frazier isn't sure about his status.

Matt Asiata rushed 30 times for 51 yards and three touchdowns in a Dec. 15 win over Philadelphia. But Asiata sat out the Cincinnati game with an ankle injury. By the second half Sunday, the Vikings lined up wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield and also used fourth-stringer Joe Banyard.

Frazier reiterated that Matt Cassel will start the finale at quarterback, with Christian Ponder as his backup. That despite Cassel throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble a week after passing for 382 yards in the 48-30 win over the Eagles.

Sunday offers the final chance to see quarterback Josh Freeman, whose one appearance since being signed Oct. 7 was completing 20 of 53 passes Oct. 21 against the New York Giants. But don't count on that happening.

"He picked up things well and worked hard in practice," Frazier said. "He's still doing those things, picking up the offense, working hard, spending time with coaches, doing all the things he needs to do. But with one game left and having a chance to watch Matt play again, we made the decision, and that's probably the way we'll go."

There could be a number of Vikings finales in the final game at the Metrodome. Not one of Minnesota's three quarterbacks can feel good about being back next season.

Headlining the list of Vikings players who are bound for free agency and might not be back are defensive line stalwarts Jared Allen and Kevin Williams. And with Frazier's job in jeopardy, obviously members of his coaching staff are in the same spot.